In July 2014 the Sashita team successfully secured funding from Awards for All, part of The Big Lottery Fund to start a new project in the Oxgangs area of Edinburgh, where Sashita is based.
One of our founding trustees, Christine Finlayson, had long since dreamed of setting up a project to teach the local women in our own area, sewing skills. We hoped that in so doing, some of our students would like to continue to help us create hand crafted items to sell, thus generating funds to support Samuye. We also hoped that some of the volunteers could then teach the women of Samuye sewing skills to allow them to gain a livelihood.
After several weeks of meeting with and asking local people for their views on whether such a project would be desirable and beneficial, we were able to establish that there was a need and a desire for such a service. Lesley Lynch and Eileen Jubb applied for funding from Awards for All and were delighted to be accepted.
The Lottery Funding was awarded to us to set up and run two twelve week courses, teaching women various methods of sewing. We had established from our researching, that childcare would be crucial and therefore, the Lottery Funding included the cost of providing crèche facilities.
The project is called “A Stitch in Time” and is based in the Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre. We have had very positive feedback from our students, and we have been warmly welcomed by the staff and volunteers at the Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre.
Here are a few photos showing our students in action:-
“Here are Alice, Elna, Silvia, Selena & Faith getting to grips with the sewing machines, whilst Modupe is standing in the background cutting out the fabric for her next creation!”
“Here are our patchwork experts Amanda, Freda, Mary and Faith, making learning look easy!!”
” And here we have Silvia, Selena, Mary, Faith, Elna & Alison studiously working with the sewing machines while the patchwork team chat & sew behind them!! A hive of industry and creativity!”
